By Edmond Ortiz
This edition of Transit Tracker features the completion of separate projects resulting in a unique Stone Oak-area freeway intersection, and long-sought infrastructure improvements in an older Schertz neighborhood.
Elsewhere, Kendall County is backing what local officials call a necessary upgrade to a vital Boerne intersection. Plus, community members will have opportunities to learn more about the planned Loop 410/U.S. 281-area improvement project, and how best to enhance connectivity between downtown and the near East Side.
San Antonio
The Texas Department of Transportation announced Aug. 24 that it has fully opened the reconfigured Blanco Road and Loop 1604 intersection.
The diverging diamond intersection is designed to enhance traffic flow and motorist safety at the busy North Side junction, which is expected to be a hub of increased traffic counts in the coming years and decades.
The Loop 1604/Blanco intersection overhaul is part of the ongoing expansion of Loop 1604 across the North Side. As part of the project, construction crews plan to close all lanes of 1604 and Interstate 10 near the Shops at La Cantera from 9 a.m. Aug. 28 through 5 a.m. Aug. 31.
Elsewhere in San Antonio, TxDOT will close the southbound Interstate 35 frontage road south of the Fratt Road entrance ramp to Exit 164B, and the northbound to southbound U-turn at Walzem Road. This is part of the ongoing I-35 expansion project. This closure is happening between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. daily now through Aug. 27, and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Aug. 24-28.
Construction crews will also close the northbound I-35 connector to the southbound Loop 410 South frontage road, and the northbound I-35 frontage road at the I-35 and Loop 410 interchange 9 p.m.-5 a.m. daily now through Aug. 28.
In infrastructure projects happening in other parts of Bexar County, Converse is entering a second phase of work to install a new water line through the Toepperwein Road/Kitty Hawk Road intersection. Temporary lane closures and modified traffic signal operations continue.
Also, TxDOT currently has the U.S. 90 westbound-to-eastbound turnaround at Loop 1604 closed to allow crews to complete a major construction milestone.
The closure is slated to continue through late September, weather permitting, TxDOT said Aug. 25.
Plus, the end of August will include public meetings on two separate, upcoming infrastructure-related initiatives.
TxDOT will have two open houses about planned improvements coming to the Loop 410/U.S. 281 area, where work is anticipated to start later this year. Community members may view drawings and get more information on the construction timeline, project plan, and other details.
One meeting about the Loop 410/U.S. 281 initiative will be held 5-7 p.m. Aug. 27 at Walker Ranch Senior Center, 835 W. Rhapsody Drive. A second session for local stakeholders takes place 5-7 p.m. Aug. 31 at Castle Hills City Hall, 209 Lemonwood Drive.
The city of San Antonio will hold a public meeting 3:30-6:30 p.m. Aug. 27 on ways to better connect near-East Side neighborhoods with downtown.
Residents, merchants and other stakeholders are invited to offer feedback towards potential short- and long-term projects where motorists, pedestrians and cyclists can better navigate Interstate 37, which has long been a physical barrier between the East Side and downtown assets such as Hemisfair.
Such potential solutions, city officials said, may coincide with the development of the Project Marvel sports and entertainment district, which could include an upgraded Alamodome. The meeting will take place at ZerNona Black Community Center, 333 Martin Luther King Drive.
Schertz
Schertz city officials gathered Aug. 18 to celebrate the completion of an infrastructure upgrade project in a neighborhood formerly known as Buffalo Valley South.
The project included the replacement of aging water and sewer mains, extensive street rehabilitation, and the addition of “Old Schertz” heritage neighborhood designation signs.
Boerne
Kendall County Commissioners on Aug. 25 passed a resolution supporting TxDOT’s plan to improve the intersection of River Road/Texas 46 at Herff Road/Esser Road.
In the resolution, county leaders indicated preference for a proposed design that includes dual left turns from westbound Texas 46 onto Herff Road, and a free-flow right turn from Herff onto the state highway, which would permit right-turning motorists to proceed without stopping at the signal.
The design also features a separate pedestrian bridge, and preserves mature heritage trees that are located at the intersection. Boerne City Council voted earlier in August to offer its formal backing for the same project design.
Kendall County officials said the project is needed to alleviate major traffic congestion that occurs at the intersection at peak traffic times. Commissioners also urged TxDOT to do what it can to accelerate the construction timeline.
